Martinsburg daily gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1887-1887, 1887-03-26
TALK WITH RAILROAD MEN
A NUMBER or INTERVIEWS ABOUT
THE NEW LAW.

Appointed Commissioners and the Pro-
visions Of the Law--The Various Views
Expressed About the Men.
NEW YoRK, March a. "A reporter Of the
United Press visited several OF the leading
railroad men of this city to-day, and obtained
their views in regard to the interstate com
merce commission appointed by President
Cleveland Mr. Jay Gould said: 81 only
know Judge Cooley and Mr. Schoonmaker
OF those who have been appointed The
former regard as eminently fitted in every
way for the position. He is an admirable
,jurist and not without a thorough under
Outstanding of our railroad systems His
selection isan excellent one. Mr.. Schoon-
maker is also q good choice. Morrison, be-
heve, is an honest man, and will doubtless do
his duty
eDo you object to the appointment Of so
many lawyersg' asked the reporter.
Certainly not have perused that bill
about dozen times and have not yet been
able to grasp its meaning Lawyers are just
the men for the place. They win be able to
get at the meaning of the law and will see
that it is justly enforced. think on the
whole the president has done as well as he,
could for us under the circumstances, and
am sure the railroad companies will be con-
tent. AS for myself, am perfectly salts
fed. y
Chauncey NJ. Depew, president of the Van
derbilt roads, said 81 consider the presi-
dents choice admirable. Judge Cooley I
know as capable, energetic man, eminently
well fitted to justly administer the Interstate
commerce law His connection with the
Wabash road has also given him apractical
idea of the management Of railroads. Nor
rison is well chosen too. He represents the
element which demanded the passage OF tn
bill, and which thinks that all railroads aIs
bad and should be wiped out or stopped. 1t
the same time he is a just man, and will, I
believe, do ali in his power to secure the
proper adminis,r ration OF the new law.
Schoonmaker, OF our state, is well fitted for
his duties His experience as attorney gem
eral will prove valuable to the commission,
and the workings of railroads are by NO
means unknown to him. OF William Bragg,
have little personal knowledge, but from
the character of the commissioners do
know, have every reason to believe that in
each case the president has chosen well. On
the whole, do not see how Mr. Cleveland
could have made better selection. He was
hampered by the fact that nearly all the
leading railroad men are already employed.
The growth Of men capable of controlling
great corporations has not been common
surate with the developm snt of our great
railway system, and good men are hard to
find don't object to having lawyers on
the commission They are needed to explain
the law and see that it is properly and fairly
administered. / know that the president
tried to get some practical recognized auS
therity on railroad matters.
800 A. Vf,Iaty law
Haven & Hartford road, said: Il don't
know any of the men personally, but I'M
derstand that they are well chosen. con-
fess that hoped for the appointment OF at
least one practical railroad man."
President Sloan, of the Delaware, Iacka-
wanna a. Western Railway company, said !:
81 am very well pleased at the PRESIDENT
choice. believe all are good men. The law
yers are needed to enforce such an act as the
Interstate con1merce law Most of the com-
missioners, too, have a pretty good idea Of
what the railtoai Is need. ! am sure that
they will work in harmony with us. We
will have perfect confidence in them.
President Little, of the Jersey Central
was equally pleased 81 don't think Mr..
Cleveland could have done better, he said
s.The legal character of tile commissioners IS
10 ot,iection. and think the majority of the
1nepabers at least know enough about rails
wars 70 fairly administer the law
x. H. Tweed, general counsel Ior tne HUM
ii ston railway tire Chesapeake q ONO sys7
ts1n and the southern Pacific railway
50 far as the appointments are copsel'ned
Ihcy are vely good AS 70 tne law itseli